In a week-and-a-half we’ll all be enjoying a nice Thanksgiving meal. We look forward to turkey, stuffing, potatoes, vegetables and soon after pies and other sweets for dessert. While the food is a highlight, we will also enjoy time with family and friends. Perhaps some great conversation will take place at the table too (as long as you avoid politics!). This week we will look at a meal that Jesus and Zacchaeus shared together. It was the climax of a very eventful day for Zacchaeus. Likely, it was just another day when he woke up, but when he heard that Jesus was heading into town, his soul was stirred and his curiosity was sparked. The Holy Spirit was moving within him. He climbed a tree in order to see this guy named Jesus and was shocked (and probably embarrassed) that Jesus found him up there. Soon he would be at his home eating with the rabbi, much to the chagrin of his neighbors.
As we unravel the events of that day described in Luke 19:1-10, we will be challenged to be like Jesus, a loving, caring presence in Zacchaeus’ life amidst a culture of hate and judgement. Zacchaeus certainly was not deserving of kindness - he was a tax collector after all. But Jesus sees past that to enjoy a meal with Zacchaeus. And what a meal it was! Perhaps you and I might find ourselves at a meal (or even just enjoying a cup of coffee) someday where we also might share the unconditional love of Jesus with someone who needs it. Wouldn’t it be amazing if that were the catalyst to bring someone closer to Christ? And who knows, we might even find ourselves being changed too.